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Balidiscovery.com Readers Write in About Moratoriums on Hotel Developments, Crackdowns on Foreign Workers, High Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Illicit Pubs in Bali.

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(8/8/2011)

Our Editorial urging a broader approach to a freeze on new hotels [Much More than a Moratorium] brought a number of letters, of which the following are a sampling:

· Graham wrote:

“A beautifully written piece. And in my view, reflected the future for Bali accurately. Well done!”

· Diana Darling differed somewhat in her view:

“All well said, and it could be said over and over again. I'm pessimistic, though, about recovering the things we loved about Bali. Bali is letting itself be turned inside out and upside down. It's becoming something other than what it was, which growing things do. It's time to let the young take over and do what they want. It doesn't matter if we like it or not, especially those of us who are both old AND foreign."

· David wrote to say:

“The locals’ lack of ability to hold on to or buy property is a issue in most ‘successful’ tourist destinations: Singapore, Hawaii, California beach towns, ski destinations – to cite a few examples. It is a no win issue that always accompanies ‘The price of success’ for these destinations. A lack of ‘business sense’ for most locals makes this challenge all that much harder. Without proper infrastructure, planning and education and the massive over development – all threaten the long-term success of this island. “

[A Foreign Disposition] telling of plans by the Indonesian Manpower Department to move against 90 companies employing 99 foreigners with expired work permits earned a single letter.

· Bill from Colorado wrote to say:

“Gee, that's nice. Tell them in advance that they are breaking the law and then prosecute!?! You don't think they already know they have illegal workers on their staff? Arrest and prosecute them per the law! No warnings!!!

[Tears in our Beer] examining the high excise taxes imposed on alcoholic beverages in Indonesia:

· Got the following terse retort from Athol in New Zealand:

“I have not paid a Rupiah more in Excise Tax in Bali. I have instead, holidayed in Thailand!”

[Pubs that Rub Bali the Wrong Way] - an article on the continuing controversy over illicit “Kafes” operating in Bali and seen as a source of the island’s high rate of HIV/AIDS infections:

· Anne Delane had this to add about the 'kafes' that front as centers of prostitution:

“Not to mention that these cafes import girls from other islands, the owners using the guise that they are bringing girls here for employment, other than what they end up doing. This is called Human Trafficking."